Method for the prevention and treatment of acne

Abstract

A system for treating and preventing multiple forms of acne includes applying a solution to the skin to assist maintaining the skin's natural acidic mantle of 4.0 to 6.5, preserve moisture transport properties, and maintain specialized lipid content, allowing the skin to function normally, and assisting the skin to heal wounds caused by acne and associated bacterial infections. The method steps include one or more of the following: applying the formulation with surfactants incorporated therein to the skin as a cleanser, rinsing with water; applying the solution, with or without surfactants, and allowing the solution to air dry; repeating the applications and allowing them to air dry throughout the day; and repeating the cleansing and rinsing steps and applying the solution and allowing to air dry before retiring. One or more of the method steps may be repeated on a continual basis, typically daily, for an extended period of time.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for reducing the incidence and severity of acne disease on human skin by
 a. applying an acidic solution to the surface of the skin to cleanse the skin by loosening and removing skin debris and sebum, wherein the solution comprises an aqueous composition comprising at least one surfactant agent for cleansing the skin selected from the group consisting of cocamidopropyl betain, alkyl polyglucosides, lauryl glucoside, and combinations thereof; at least one anti-inflammatory agent selected from the group consisting of aloe vera, allantoin, cocamidopropyl betain, beta glucan, and combinations thereof; at least one cell growth promoting agent selected from the group consisting of aloe vera, allantoin, beta glucan, a bioflavonoid, a polyphenolic compound, or a grapefruit-derived quaternary compound and combinations thereof; and at least one fast acting antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of colloidal silver, a bioflavonoid, a polyphenolic compound, or a grapefruit-derived quaternary compound and combinations thereof, wherein each of said agents is skin-compatible and different from the other agents; and at least one different agent selected from the group consisting of aloe vera, beta glucan, colloidal silver, allantoin, vitamin E, cocamidopropyl, a bioflavonoid, a polyphenolic compound, a grapefruit-derived quaternary compound, pycogenol, and grape seed extract, the solution having a pH of from about 4.0 to 6.0, and promoting an orderly desquamation of individual cells, preserving specialized lipid components, and maintaining normal exterior-most mildly acidic skin pH of from about 4.0 to 6.5 over an extended period of time from about 3 to 6 hours; 
 b. thereafter applying an acidic solution as described in subparagraph (a) having a pH of from about 4.0 to 6.0 and in the absence of surfactants to the surface of the skin and allowing the solution to dry in air to restore the barrier function of the skin, promote healing, and reduce the likelihood of bacterial infection; 
 c. repeating step (b) from 3 to 8 times per day; and 
 d. repeating step (a). 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) is performed upon arising, step (b) is performed immediately after step (a) is completed, step (c) is repeated throughout a 24 hour period, step (d) is performed upon retiring, and steps (a) through (d) are repeated daily for a period of time from 1 to 4 weeks. 
     
     
       3. A method for reducing the incidence and severity of acne on human skin by applying an antimicrobial and pH controlling solution to the skin, the solution comprising an aqueous composition of at least one anti-inflammatory agent selected from the group consisting of aloe vera, allantoin, cocamidopropyl betain, beta glucan, and combinations thereof; at least one cell growth promoting agent selected from the group consisting of aloe vera, allantoin, beta glucan, a bioflavonoid, a polyphenolic compound, or a grapefruit-derived quaternary compound and combinations thereof; and at least one fast acting antimicrobial agent that is not also antibiotic the fast acting antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of colloidal silver, a bioflavonoid, a polyphenolic compound, or a grapefruit-derived quaternary compound and combinations thereof, wherein each of said agents is skin-compatible and different from the other agents; and at least one different agent selected from the group consisting of aloe vera, beta glucan, colloidal silver, allantoin, vitamin E, cocamidopropyl, a bioflavonoid, a polyphenolic compound, a grapefruit-derived quaternary compound, pycogenol, and grape seed extract, the solution having a mildly acidic pH of from about 4.0 to 6.5, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 a) cleansing the skin at least once per day with the solution, the solution further comprising at least one zwitterionic surfactant to cleanse the skin by loosening and removing skin debris and sebum while preserving lipid components; 
 b) rinsing the solution from the skin with water after the cleansing step; and 
 c) applying the solution to the skin after rinsing and allowing the solution to air dry on the skin, the solution further comprising or not at least one zwitterionic surfactant; the method further comprising the step of: 
 d) repeating at least step (c) as needed for a period of time sufficient to maintain exterior-most acidic skin pH of from about 4.0 to 6.5 in the area of application over an extended period of time from about 3 to 6 hours, thereby establishing a zone of inhibition for infection, restoring skin function characterizing healthy human skin, and reducing the incidence and severity of acne within the area of application, healthy human skin characterized by a pH of from about 4.0 to 6.5; keratinization, including corneocyte development, cross-linked proteins, and non-polar lipids; and desquamation of individual keratinized cells. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the solution has a pH of from about 4.5 to 6.0. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3  wherein the solution has a pH of from about 4.5 to 5.5. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 3  wherein the acne includes lesions inflamed with acne causing bacteria. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 3  wherein the solution maintains the pH of the area to which the solution is applied at from 4.0 to 4.5 for an extended time of up to three to six hours per application. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 3  wherein step (c) of applying the solution to the skin and allowing the solution to dry in air on the skin is accomplished from 3 to 8 times per day following an initial single cleansing and rinsing, steps (a) and (b), and wherein the method further comprises repeating steps (a) through (c) before retiring. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step of drying the rinsed skin after step (b) and prior to step (c). 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 3  wherein step (c) is repeated multiple times per day. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 3  wherein steps (a) through (c) are repeated at least twice per day. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein step (c) is repeated multiple times per day in between the repetition of steps (a) through (c). 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 3  wherein rinsing in accordance with step (b) is performed with water or with a cloth having water applied thereto. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 3  wherein step (c) is performed by applying the solution in the absence of a zwitterionic surfactant. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 3  wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from colloidal silver, grapefruit-derived quaternary compound, and mixtures thereof.